Saturday 20 January 2018

The Hippo Hangs Out . . . . with Jane Isaac



I'm thrilled to be hanging out with the very lovely Jane Isaac today. I first 'met' Jane on Twitter several years ago and we would regularly chat about books as well as briefly being a part of a multi-contributor blog. It's something that we enjoy reminiscing about and I told her the other day that I love being able to say "I knew you before you were famous!" but she's so modest that she doesn't consider herself to be famous at all. I 'm pretty sure that quite a few of you reading this post will have heard her name and will have read at least one of her books. . . .so Jane, I'm sorry, but in the book world you ARE famous! 😉



Just incase you're one of the few people who hasn't heard of Jane then let me introduce her to you.

Photo courtesy of Jane Isaac



Jane Isaac lives with her husband, daughter and dog, Bollo, in rural Northamptonshire, UK. Her debut novel, An Unfamiliar Murder, introduces DCI Helen Lavery and was nominated as best mystery in the 'eFestival of Words Best of the Independent eBook awards 2013.'

The Truth Will Out, the second in the DCI Helen Lavery series, was nominated as 'Thriller of the Month - April 2014' by E-thriller.com and winner of 'Noveltunity book club selection - May 2014'.

In 2015 Jane embarked on a new series, featuring DI Will Jackman and set in Stratford upon Avon, with Before It's Too Late. The second in the series, Beneath The Ashes, was published by Legend Press on 1st November 2016 and the 3rd, The Lies Within, followed on 2nd May 2017.

Both DI Jackman and DCI Lavery will return again in the near future. Sign up to Jane's newsletter on her website for details of new releases, events and giveaways.

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What book/books made you cry and why?
Little Women. It was my favourite childhood book and unlike most I didn’t cry when Beth died, I cried because I wanted to be a March sister!

Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?
Um…I already do!




What’s your favourite under-appreciated writer/book?
I think that would have to be Rubicon by Ian Patrick, a book about an undercover cop, by a former undercover cop. It’s a thrill of a ride published by a small press and deserves great success.

Where did your love of books/storytelling/reading/writing etc come from?
I’ve always been a great lover of stories, but I think Enid Blyton clinched my love of mysteries when I was growing up. I spent many a night with the torch under the duvet, desperately trying to get to the end of the book before I was discovered!
I’ve always loved the twists and turns of a really good thriller/mystery, so it became the obvious genre for me when I started writing.




What do you think is more important: characters or plot?
Oh, both! I can’t choose between them. As a reader, I’m drawn to beautifully layered characters: good guys we champion, bad guys we love to hate. But I’m also a sucker for a compelling plot, a story that keeps me up at night and turning the pages until the very end. I guess it’s all about striking the right balance.

If you could spend time with a character from your book who would it be and why? What would you get up to?
It would be Annie Davies from the DI Will Jackman series because she is interesting and quirky and has the ability to inject humour into any situation.
A spa break with plenty of time to chill out, relax and read.




You get a brilliant idea/thought/phrase at an inappropriate moment (eg in the shower or driving) what do you do?
I find it’s so important to get those ideas down as soon as I can, otherwise they disappear in a puff of smoke never to be found again. I have notebooks all over the house and repeat the idea to myself until I can jump out of the shower (I have been known to drip water over the floor at times), and pull over in the car to jot down the details. If someone is with me when I’m driving I get them to text a couple of prompts to my phone. Anything to record the moment!

What is your guilty pleasure?
Aside from chocolate and wine (and Haribo Starmix when I’m editing!), I love the TV programme, A Place in the Sun where they help people find their perfect home abroad. I’ve always been fascinated by travel and incredibly nosey too!


Oh I'm with you on this one Jane, I love watching this too, along with any other home related programme as I love seeing inside other people's homes!


Thanks so much for interviewing me, Neats. It’s such a pleasure to guest on your blog.


It's been wonderful chatting to you Jane. 🙂

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Jane's latest book is called The Lies Within and here's the details.



                                                          Blurb

Be under no illusions by her kind face and eloquent manner… This woman is guilty of murder.
Grace Daniels is distraught after her daughter's body is found in a Leicestershire country lane. With her family falling apart and the investigation going nowhere, Grace's only solace is the re-emergence of Faye, an old friend who seems to understand her loss.
DI Will Jackman delves into the case, until a family tragedy and a figure from his past threaten to derail him.
When the police discover another victim, the spotlight falls on Grace. Can Jackman find the killer, before she is convicted of a crime she didn't commit?
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You can find out more about Jane, her books and connect with her using the links below:




I'd like to thank Jane for stopping by today, it's been an absolute pleasure to chat with you 😘

1 comment:

  1. I think I'd join you on the spa break with Annie, the hot stones look inviting on a cold January day.

    ReplyDelete